Include bibliographical references.

This research focus on Political participation is an essential element of democracy and of paramount importance for both development of the nation and individual. Political participation of women is considered to be the hallmark of democracy and progressiveness of a nation. Societies in India and Central Asia are primarily patriarchic like many other societies of the world having manifested male dominance in all walks of life. India and Central Asian states have innumerable similarities, cultural and civilisational links and sharing of common values like democracy and rule of law. These countries have made great strides in terms of development both at national and societal level. However, they still have to work hard in area of women's participation in the political process of their country. The present study is an attempt to study women's participation in political process since 1991, a landmark year when India ushered in economic reforms which influenced the society as well as the approach of the political class towards women issues and their political representation. Same year Soviet Union disintegrated and Central Asian States gained independence. Central Asia is otherwise also a fascinating region for research given its dual experience of transition and development. The region, however, is understudied, in part due to lack of availability of data on these countries.This report examine choice of Central Asia and India for this study has been made keeping a number of factors in mind. First, in all the countries women have had equal political rights for a considerable part of their history in the last century. In other words, there is substantial history to women's political rights. However, in both cases, as has been the trend world over, rights on paper did not automatically translate into power in the hands of women in practice. Another reason that has influenced the choice of these countries is the relatively important positions of these countries in their respective regions; Central Asia as a part of former global superpower and India as the biggest democracy in the world. Third, countries under study have witnessed an increase in the intensity of democratisation; Central Asia since the fall of the Soviet Union and India following the rise of public interest litigations and the Panchayati Raj legislation. Also, there have been significant changes following liberalisation of the economy in the 1990s.Above all this, women's political participation in India remains disappointing owing to socioeconomic and cultural reasons. Of late, it has started to show an upward trend, at least, at the very basic level of governance. Panchayati Raj Institution has politically empowered Indian women by ensuring fixed number of constituencies and seats for them. More and more women are becoming aware about the ongoing political developments and have shown their willingness to come forward. Such provisions are yet to be replicated at state and central level. In India, despite the best of intentions, the Women's Reservation Bill introduced in 1998 has ended up on the side of controversy and has been practically buried.

Indian Council of Social Science Research.

English